POSTAL VOTES - Citizens who requested a postal vote should by now have received their ballot paper, as municipalities are required by law to issue the ballot papers no later than 15 days prior to the election - or 30 days for Luxembourg nationals living abroad. Ballot papers must arrive at the polling station no later than 2pm on Sunday 8 October. However, it must be noted that they are to be put in the post, not handed into the local municipal offices or placed in their postbox. Some communes posted on social media this week to remind voters that any ballots not sent via Post Luxembourg would not be counted.
BLUE ALGAE - Authorities have issued a swimming ban at the Upper Sûre Lake following the discovery of blue algae near the Rommwiss beach. Swimming in the lake is banned until further notice. The Ministry of Health issued a recommendation to pet owners to stop their pets from drinking the lake water. Fishing and water sports have also been banned due to blue algae.
WINTER INFECTIONS - As winter beckons, the Ministry of Health has issued health advice to citizens to protect themselves against infectious respiratory diseases. Infectious diseases such as influenza, bronchiolitis and Covid-19 can trigger epidemic waves and lead to more serious infections, which can take their toll on a person’s immune system and overall health. Vaccinations and sanitary measures can help people to protect themselves against infection. In November and December 2022, over 260 young children aged 2 and under were hospitalised in Luxembourg due to bronchitis, or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Last winter, the Ministry of Health reported around 54,000 Covid infections and 10,000 cases of seasonal flu.
ROTTERDAM SHOOTINGS - A gunman dressed in combat gear and wearing a bulletproof vest went on a shooting rampage at a house and a hospital in Rotterdam Thursday, killing a 14-year-old girl, her mother, and a teacher. Dutch police said they were still investigating the motive for the twin attacks by a 32-year-old man, who also set fire to the hospital and the house. The gunman was taken into custody and chief public prosecutor Hugo Hillenaar told reporters he was cooperating with police following his arrest. Authorities said the suspect was thought to have possessed only one firearm and there is no indication he had accomplices.
EU MIGRATION MEET - The leaders of nine Mediterranean and southern European countries, including France’s Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, meet Friday in Malta for talks set to focus on migration. The summit comes a day after the UN refugee organisation said more than 2,500 migrants had perished or disappeared attempting to cross the Mediterranean so far this year -- substantially more than at the same point in 2022. The EU is poised to agree a revamped Pact on Migration and Asylum, which will seek to relieve pressure on front line countries such as Italy and Greece by relocating some arrivals to other EU states.
BIDEN WARNING - US President Joe Biden launched a blistering personal attack on “extremist” Donald Trump Thursday, accusing his likely 2024 challenger of plotting to subvert the US constitution if he wins a return to power next year. The Democrat said in a speech in the battleground state of Arizona that Republican frontrunner Trump was driven by “vengeance and vindictiveness”, and he urged Americans to stand up for democracy before it was too late. The speech came as House Republicans launched impeachment inquiry hearings into the 80-year-old president, based on unproven allegations that he lied about his son Hunter’s business dealings.
DISINFORMATION ROLLBACK - X-owner Elon Musk said that he had gutted the platform‘s team dedicated to preserving election integrity as key votes in many countries are approaching. The online outlet said that X, formerly known as Twitter, was cutting half of its global team dedicated to monitoring and limiting disinformation and fraud around major elections. There are more than 50 major elections expected around the world next year, including the US presidential election, but also in India, Africa and the European Union.
RUGBY WORLD CUP - Japan took a step towards qualifying for a place in the quarter finals of the competition after holding off 14-man Samoa to record a 28-22 victory in Toulouse last night. The result ensures England that will progress to the next rebound regardless of the result of their next game.
BOULDERING FESTIVAL- The inaugural Women’s Bouldering Festival will be held in Mamer on 30 September, raising awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. Bouldering is a sport in which participants climb up and over rocks or artificial walls without ropes. The event will be organised at Parc Brill in Mamer by Boulder Klub Luxembourg and Boulder Klub Mamer. While the event will focus on encouraging women to take up bouldering, people of all ages and genders are also welcome to attend and participate on the day.
Today begins dry, with mostly clear skies and a mild morning temperature of around 15 degrees. As the day progresses light cloud cover will move in - raising the chance of light showers - and temperatures are expected to rise to a maximum of around 22 to 24 degrees by mid afternoon.
Be sure to catch our full bulletin on the hour, every hour and headlines at half past the hour on Today Radio. You can also access the news via Alexa, and on RTL Play.
